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Buckeye Lake Boat Ramps Closed For Fireworks

BUCKEYE LAKE, Ohio (AP) – The state will close public boat ramps at Ohio’s Buckeye Lake for Fourth of July fireworks to ensure people don’t get stuck in shallow water while trying to watch the show.

The central Ohio lake is being kept low as the state makes plans to replace its deteriorated dam.

That isn’t stopping the traditional fireworks show. But the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says officials from surrounding counties asked that the public boat ramps be closed Friday as a safety precaution.

Marina owner and Fairfield County Commissioner Dave Levacy tells The Columbus Dispatch that locals are familiar with the low lake and less likely to run into trouble, but officials worried that folks from elsewhere might venture in and force emergency responders to spend their night rescuing stranded boaters.